visa waiver program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) permits authorized citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Citizens or nationals of VWP countries must meet certain requirements for travel authorization through Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to their intended travel without a visa. Otherwise, they must apply for visitor visas (B Visa) to travel. Even if a traveler obtains a visa waiver, they still must possess a valid passport while traveling to the United States. 

Requirements for a visa waiver:

  • Travel purpose confirms the purpose of B visas: 
    • Visitors intend to travel to the United States for tourism or business-related purposes, conferences, conventions, or vacations, for up to 90 days. 
  • Citizens or nationals must be from the following countries or regions: 
    • Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
      • If the above citizens already have B visas, they should not apply for any visa waiver, for they can use B visas to travel to the United States.

Valid authorizations through ESTA: 

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will determine travel eligibility utilizing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). 
    • ESTA authorizations are usually valid for two years. 
      • During this period, a traveler must notify ESTA if they: get a new passport; change their name, gender, or citizenship; or of they need to make any other changes/updates related to their ESTA application.

Valid passports:

  • Passports should be valid for 6 months beyond the intended date of departure from the United States.

Steps in the travel authorization application:

  • Enter the applicant's personal and travel information.
  • Answer eligibility questions.
  • Review the application.
  • Pay the $40.27 USD fee.

Prohibitions:

  • Travelers cannot extend their stay in the United States beyond the initial admission period. 
  • Travelers cannot change their immigration status while visiting the United States.

For additional information, please see:

[Last reviewed in April of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team] 

Keywords

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